Ukraine to Stage Military Exercises “Joint Effort 2020”

Due to the accumulation of Russian army under the reason of preparing for the “Caucasus 2020” exercise, the Ministry of Defence and the Armed Forces of Ukraine plan to start “Joint Effort 2020” exercises. This was announced by the Minister of Defence of Ukraine Andriy Taran during an hour of questions to the government.

The exercises are to take place in the last part of September, when the Russian “Caucasus 2020” is going to be staged. It is planned to test the General Staff’s ability to act in accordance with NATO standards. In addition, combat firing of anti-aircraft missile systems will be carried out. The exercises will be attended by the Navy, Aviation, and units of the Land Forces, as well as other military formations located in the south of Ukraine.

Taran also announced the possibility of involving representatives of NATO member states in the exercises. According to the words of the military, these exercises are an “asymmetric response” to the Russians.

At the same time, the Minister emphasized that, so far, no signs of direct preparation for active hostilities of the Russian occupation forces have been noticed near the administrative border with the Autonomous Republic of Crimea.

It should be recalled that on Friday, 17 July the Russian Federation began a sudden large-scale inspection of the army combat readiness of the southern and western districts.

Bohdan Marusyak